Not far behind the superlative 2021, Mt Brave's 2022 Cabernet Franc Mt. Veeder delivers
notes of blackberries, sage and bay. It's not that floral, but it's intricate and herbal, with a
silky, medium- to full-bodied feel on the palate and a long, concentrated finish.

The 2022 Cabernet Sauvignon Howell Mountain is more than 90% Cabernet Sauvignon,
with small amounts of Cabernet Franc, Malbec, Merlot and Petit Verdot. Twenty-two
months in 77% new French oak has given a cedary veneer to the ripe cherries and hint of
pine on the nose, while the full-bodied palate is plush and velvety without being soft,
approachable but with enough substance to keep things interesting sip after sip, with a
long, richly textured finish.

La Jota's 2022 Merlot Howell Mountain includes 14% Petit Verdot, something winemaker
Chris Carpenter describes as "a yin and yang combination." Scents of ripe cherries, pine
needles and mocha appear on the nose, while the medium- to full-bodied palate is rich,
velvety-textured and tannic. It's a powerful, concentrated Merlot, with a long, flavorful
finish.

The 2022 Cabernet Sauvignon Helena Montana was matured for 15 months in 85% new French oak. It has slowly unfurling scents of blueberry, black cherry and blackcurrant plus nuances of cigar box, graphite and violet. The full-bodied palate is powerfully styled with concentrated, spicy flavors and generous new-oak character. It’s framed by abundant, grainy tannins and bright acidity and has a long, latent finish. It will benefit from 2-3 years in the cellar.

Made from 100% Pinot Noir that was completely destemmed and aged just three months in
neutral barrels, the 2024 Pinot Noir boasts a ruby, semi-opaque color and gives up juicy
blackberry, mulberries, peppery herbs, and sappy, floral-driven notes. Medium-bodied, pure, and
juicy on the palate, it has an incredibly supple, seamless mouthfeel, nicely integrated acidity, and
ripe tannins. This is one heck of a value, offering plenty of richness and ripeness while staying
balanced, light on its feet, and weightless. Drink 2025-2030.

Based on 100% Syrah that was not destemmed and was aged in neutral barrels, the 2023 Syrah Perilune is medium to full-bodied, bright and juicy, with cool-climate black and blue fruits, pepper, sappy green herbs, and sage. It's fresh, focused, has ripe yet present tannins, and outstanding length. Give it a year or two to round into form and enjoy bottles over the following decade. Drink 2026-2036.

A pure Swartland Syrah from three blocks on the granite-dominated soils of the Jakkalsfontein vineyard, this was fermented with 20% whole bunches before ageing in neutral oak. Structured, racy, pure and intense, it has layers of clove, pepper and hot stones and a core of blackberry and liquorice. 2

Silene uses grapes from three comparatively cool sites in Stellenbosch and is the cheapest of Capensis' outstanding range of Chardonnays. Fermented in 30% new oak, as well as Austrian foudres, it has subtle wood spices, some cream from full malolactic, peach and citrus fruit flavours and a balanced finish.

The 2024 Viognier Tepusquet Vineyard has tons of character. Exuberant floral top notes, perfumed orchard fruit and deep mineral tension join together in harmonious fashion, while mouthwatering acids enliven the finish. The 2024 boasts truly impressive complexity for the variety. Very well done.

Supple yet elegantly structured, offering savory ripeness. The vibrant acidity is framed by raspberry, guava, orange peel and dusky spice notes as this gathers richness and focus on the finish. Drink now through 2033.

The 2024 Chardonnay is, yet again, a gorgeous, singular wine with so much regional identity and soul, especially at its ridiculously low price point. There's fabulous weight and density here, eschewing varietal signature in favor of floral lift, creamy, oily yet weightless textures, and a long, salt-lick of a finish. This is such an impressively high-quality wine at this scale of production (40,000 cases).

The 2023 Pinot Noir Perilune delivers lifted red fruit, cranberry, spice and blood orange tones. Suave and sophisticated, it washes across the palate with precision and breadth, finishing cleanly with a marine-inflected note of Japanese nori. This is very classic Sta. Rita Hills, accented by an extra push of bright fruit.

The 2023 Pinot Noir (Sta. Rita Hills) is open-knit,

The 2023 Chardonnay Hapgood opens with bright, focused, crystalline aromas of grapefruit peel, lemon oil, chalk and white flowers. Saline energy accelerates down the centerline of the mid-palate, driven by a spine of tense, focused acidity. The balance here is unquestionable.

Sweetly aromatic with freshness and florality, with cherries, some green herbal hints and a touch of tar. The palate is very bright with a juicy quality to the sweet berry and cherry fruit, with some silkiness as well as a hint of greenness on the finish. Powerful but still vibrant.

Nice dense, sweet spicy berry and cherry fruits. Has some warmth with a touch of blackcurrant character. Dense and quite well structured with a core of sweet fruit and some warm, slightly dusty spiciness on the finish, which is a little warm. Developing in a nice way.

The 2023 Old Vine Riesling Hyland Vineyard opens with compact aromas of petrol, candied lime, preserved peach, honey, and wet stones. Dry and medium-bodied, it offers a vibrant core of acidity, with mouthwatering saline and plenty of length through the finish. It’s a very impressive Riesling that’s compelling now but also has the ability to age at least another decade. Drink 2025-2040.

A bright red color, the 2023 Pinot Noir Shea Vineyard is a ripe and generous wine, with spice accents that frame the wine beautifully. Ripe cherries, smoky earth, cedar, and pressed flowers lift from the glass. Medium-bodied, it offers chalky tannins and a graceful finish. It’s highly appealing now and should drink well over the coming decade.

From the Eola-Amity Hills, the 2023 Pinot Noir Zena Crown is a total charmer with a fruity and floral nature. Fresh blackberries, crushed roses, mocha, and crushed stones emerge from the glass. Medium to full-bodied, it has a rounded texture, with all its primary fruit remaining pure and lasting on the finish. It's delightful now and should continue to drink well for another 12-15 years.

The 2022 Chardonnay Yamhill-Carlton shows off a more savory profile, with notes of chamomile, yellow apples, lemon balm, and Parmesan. Frost-affected fruit in 2022 brought extra concentration. Medium-bodied and focused, it gains honey and butterscotch notes as it opens, and it’s chalky and energetic on the palate. Drink 2025-2035.

The 2022 Pinot Noir Yamhill-Carlton has a jeweled ruby/magenta hue and an iron-rich, mineral nose joined by cherries, cedar, and polished leather. Medium to full-bodied, with ripe tannins and balanced acidity, red fruit drives its focused, long finish. Drink 2025-2040.

The 2022 Pinot Noir Zena Crown Vineyard is impressive, with detailed ripe notes of red cherries, dusty earth, dried flowers, and forest herbs. It’s well-structured, with a warming spice on the finish and a salty, mouthwatering feel featuring well-defined, ripe tannins. Drink 2025-2035.

Flavors of German chocolate cake is dressed in an explosion of dark, ripe cherries in a creamy base. White pepper plays into its elegant profile, unveiling notes of cinnamon toast and roasted coffee

Classic styling here. Red and black cherried fruit flavour but with a dark, woodsy edge. Fragrant herb and wood spice top notes. Good fruit and fragrance but taut, finessed, almost filigreed. Balanced on a pinhead stuff. The aromatics here in particular feel incredibly pure and yet, at the same time, the nose is not simple and nor is it suggestive of sweetness. The control is high and yet the wine feels real. Quality wine. Beautifully turned out.

Intense blackberry and mulberry aromas, dried herbs but not much of the greener crushed-leafy aspects of this variety. Very appealing flavour with intensity and drive, the tannins firm and dry and giving a decent backbone to what is a more serious style of cabernet franc. Juicy sweet fruit, freshening acidity and lovely drive.